GOOD WEEKEND!

SAT & SUN, 4 & 5 DECEMBER, 2010

This weekend we visited “S” both days. Weekends are much different than the regimented weekdays we’ve observed at the orphanage.  Upon checking in at the office, we were told to head up to his room on the3rd  floor of one of the buildings. We entered his half of the floor and were met with 12-15 smiling faces! Many kids were taking showers and running in and out of the bathrooms with wet hair. “S” finished his shower and came running into the room where we were waiting for him and gave us all a big hug! His hair was still wet – all the boys here have the same very short buzz cut (I’m hoping they let “S” ‘s hair grow out a bit since he’s going to be adopted). I felt his feet and his socks were wet and cold. I took off my socks (my favorite Golden Retriever socks, mind you) and put them on his feet then rubbed them until they were warm. We also brought him a new warm jacket. The zipper doesn’t work on his current jacket and when we go outside and he holds our hands, his jacket flies open, letting in the bitter cold wind. He seemed pleased with the jacket but more excited about the other things we brought; a new plastic ball to play soccer, our portable DVD player with a kids’ movie, a “Wax Tap” calendar (the local soccer team from Donetsk), a Shrek coloring book and some foam airplanes. We went through the Wax Tap calendar and looked at the players month by month, as I explained this would go up in his new room in America. As he began playing with the toys, a few of the other kids hesitantly milled around the open door to the playroom. I motioned them to come on in and play and they did. They loved all the toys and quickly dove into the big black sack I carried everything in.  “S” was so generous, sharing candy with all his friends and showing them all the toys. The big hit of the day was the camera and our cell phones. First “S” grabbed our Canon and went around taking pictures of all his friends, then he showed them Scott’s cell phone and how it takes pictures. Everyone wanted in on this  so one by one we let each child take a picture with the phone.

There were only 3 girls on “S” ‘s floor that we saw. Overall, there are fewer girls up for adoption in Ukraine than boys. One of the girls had beautiful red hair (which is prized in Russian/Ukraine) and the other girl looked to be of “Roma” origin (Romania, Bulgaria, etc). I’ve read that kids of “Roma” origin sometimes are not given as much attention at orphanages than other children since they are thought to be of “gypsy” origin.  I was drawn to this darker girl. She seemed shy yet kept peering into the playroom where we were, from behind the door. I tried offering her a candy but she said no. Finally, with some coaxing, she acquiesced and said “spa-si-ba”. I motioned her to come play but again she said no. So I picked up an extra coloring book we had and a few crayons and went into the room she was in. She was elated about coloring and chose to color a unicorn. I then brought in 2 kids’ doodle pads, one of how to draw cats and one of a dogs. She chose the cat one so I tore out a few pages of the instructions and gave her some blank sketch paper for her to keep, along with the coloring book and crayons. Her face lit up! She was able to follow the steps for drawing the cat perfectly and stayed exactly in the lines with the coloring book. As we were leaving, she was the only kid who was on the ground with me cleaning up. What a sweetie - I want to take her home too!

We are trying to cut down on all the candy we bring to the orphanage so this weekend we decided to bring grapes, bananas and tangerines. I cannot get over how much “S” eats! He immediately wolfed down a huge banana then half of the one I was eating, a tangerine followed by about 20 grapes. He loves Scott’s fiber bars and rifles through our backpack for them immediately upon arrival. He still hordes all the candy we give him in his pockets.

We now know why “S” stated earlier he was scared of Gavin’s size. Scott witnessed one of the bigger boys pummeling one of the smaller boys in the head to get him to give up a balloon. The smaller kid quickly gave it to him, then they went back to playing together. Aside from this incident, I’m amazed with the manners, positive attitude and aptitudes these kids have! I have not seen any children with any of the physical signs of fetal alcohol syndrome I read so much about here.  This is one of the better orphanages in that all kids (who are older than 7) go to school on the premises and the people who run this particular orphanage seem to be extremely dedicated to these children. During the weekdays, it’s so quiet here….…all the kids are in class and it’s hard to believe there are at least 100 kids here since we hear and see nothing as we walk from building to building to take “S” to and from the playroom.  When we do see kids, it’s in the lobby of the office building, if they are going to and from class or lunch. They always are smiling and say “Ciao” to us. When I’ve offered them a piece of candy, I always hear “spa-si-ba!” (Thank you!). I’m sure they are thinking, “Why “S” and why not me?” I hope they understand it is nothing against them. It’s just fate we were presented with “S” and that he is a perfect fit for our family! I hope a time will come for each of them when they can have a mama and papa of their own.

If any of you reading this are considering adopting, David Avilla, our facilitator, is highly recommended. Even if you are NOT considering adopting or are not sure, David’s main business is running a hosting program over the summer for Ukrainian orphans. He always needs host families. The kids come to the Bay Area for 2-3 weeks and attend a “summer camp” type program during the day.  Check out his website on my right sidebar.

Tonight we went out to our favorite Ukrainian restaurant (called “Three Fat Guys”) and saw “Chronicles of Narnia”, as part of our Russian language immersion program ;-). It was fun but we always comment how much MORE fun it would be with little “S”.